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Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - gordonbennet

Our Forester summer set are getting thin, still very legal but i don't like going below 3mm even on the shoulders, up to now i've been running winter/summer sets (have second set of wheels), was going to leave tyre buying till next spring for new summer tyres but have decided this time to stay with the summer wheels and go all season instead, will flog the existing winter set which still have plenty of tead in due course.

After much consideration, and good service from previous Quatracs on family cars, have opted for Vredestein Quatrac Pro+.

Wifey and i will be swapping vehicles for the cooler seasons so wanted her on something decent.

Searching around Camskill as usual came up with the best price for home delivery only, however the last time i bought from them the delivery cost was IIRC £12 for 4, this time it came up @ £26, i'd already checked my local place was happy to fit, he was and he couldn't even find that particular tyre available on his system anyway so wasn't in a position to offer any sort of deal buying from them.

The large increase in delivery charges gave me pause for thought so clicked on a few of the usual sites, Asda site wouldn't work for me, some others didn't list that tyre at all and barely any all season tyres, ie Kwik Fit only offered Michelins in my size, some were really expensive for all decent makes of all seasons.

Blackcircles whom i've never used before came up only a couple of quid more than Camskill once fitting included and the irony is they're being delivered directly to and being fitted by the same local place later in the week all being well.

When you want a specific tyre things get a lot more involved.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - galileo

I have bought Vredestein Quatracs a couple of times from MyTyres - delivery takes a few days but prices seemed competitiive, I have had my trusted local indy to fit them.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - Adampr

I've bought from Black Circles a couple of times. No issue at all with the process, quality or prices. I've had one good experience and one bad - it's all down to the fitter. If a local, known, place is on their books, I wouldn't anticipate any problems.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - daveyjp

Many years since I used Camskill as my back street fitter retired and I used to get them delivered to my wife's business warehouse, but that isn't an option now.

I've used Blackcircles twice, first time was a disaster as it went to a local garage that weren't full time tyre fitters so they moaned about how little they got paid and did a terrible job.

Last time I chose a local tyre fitting centre who were OK, if a little chaotic. Two vans arrived full of tyres and they were all just rolled out so finding my four took a while.

They also couldn't reset the tyre pressure warning system. It was still on when I drove the car away and they said they couldn't find the reset button (our Yaris doesn't have one, its automatic), It was still on because one tyre was only inflated to mid 20s psi, not low 30s like the others.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - Engineer Andy

I've bought from Black Circles a couple of times. No issue at all with the process, quality or prices. I've had one good experience and one bad - it's all down to the fitter. If a local, known, place is on their books, I wouldn't anticipate any problems.

You still have to watch who you get to fit them though. I had my previous set of tyres fitted by a 'new' (it was, not just someone else taking over a fitter) outlet that also was one of their 'highest rated' (expert of equivalent) fitters, but that was only by them presumably checking them, not via customer reviews.

IMHO they did a poor job, one tyre keep leaking, even after them having another go (which I paid them £10) to refit. My local Mazda dealer refitted it it - for free (probably because I'd bee a customer for 6 years by then and gave them a good amount of business) - and it didn't leak or have any other problems.

The 'expert' fitter was suddenly removed from BC's books changed their name and went completely indie (they were previously part of a VERY respected group of fitter outlets).

Saying all that, I've used BC twice and had no problems on their end, including last time in 2018 when I bought the tyres from them, delivered to my home and then had them fitted at my Mazda dealership - for less than BC could do, though by (then) £3.20 per tyre.

I think BC have, like most, jacked up the cost of fitting and delivery after the 'extra' Pandemic-related costs and higher fuel prices were passed on to customer (it was £13.20 per tyre and £11.50 per delivery of 4 tyres respectively back in 2018).

Edited by Engineer Andy on 27/08/2024 at 15:17

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - Andrew-T

I've bought from Black Circles a couple of times. No issue at all with the process, quality or prices..

Ordered a set of 4 from Black Circles last year, delivered to local ATS and fitted at appointed time. No problems at all since, holding pressure well.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - gordonbennet

I have bought Vredestein Quatracs a couple of times from MyTyres - delivery takes a few days but prices seemed competitiive, I have had my trusted local indy to fit them.

I checked Mytyres as well as Tyreleader and Oponeo (have bought from the former two numerous times), all were more expensive than Camskill (even taking into account CMs increased carriage costs) and in some cases more than Blackcircles' all incl prices.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - gordonbennet

Regarding Blackcircles i was happy to find that my local Formula1 autocentre is in BC's fitting list so have chosen them to fit the tyres, they've proved helpful and competent on various jobs so happy to put the work their way...the general garage indy we used previously many times (and i recommended on the good garage guide) let us down badly early in the year, new young face on the desk about as much use as the proverbial chocolate teapot, they won't have to worry about us darkening their doorstep again.

I used to use an indy tyre shop in the town, unfortunately the new manager doesn't want to find the tyres i want he wants to fit the tyres he wants, hence internet buying, its not always the fault of us buyers simply choosing to go elsewhere, sometimes they drive us away...the story sadly of too much of the high street..

No worries about tyre pressure sensors, our cars are far too old, i'll be double chcking pressures and wheelbolts anyway.

About the only issue i expect is that fitting is dealyed a day or two if the tyres fail to turn up on time.

Edited by gordonbennet on 27/08/2024 at 14:17

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - Steveieb

Micheldeva Tyres have taken over Wellingborough Tyres GB. They always did a good deal.

They are on the Leyland Estate near your work

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - gordonbennet

Micheldeva Tyres have taken over Wellingborough Tyres GB. They always did a good deal.

Thanks Steveieb, must be 25 years since i used W'boro tyres, a new pair of Dunlops for my mk1 Avensis.

Micheldever are or were big in the tyre wholesaling game, they had a number of artic trailers used daily for trunking loads between various depots around the country, pulled a few of those myself in the noughties out of the county warehouse.

Out of interest i checked via their online site, not listing Vreds at all.

Edited by gordonbennet on 27/08/2024 at 17:48

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - Chris M

Micheldever now trade as Protyre and is owned by Sumitomo. Protyre have around 200 branches. More on Protyre in a moment.

I've used Blackcircles (owned by Michelin) several times in the past without issue. About two months ago I wanted two Michelins and they were the best fitted price. Tyres were fitted fine but the next day I noticed one tyre was one year old and the other two years old. They were also not the speed rating I'd ordered, although perfectly okay for the car. Contacted BC. To summarise the many emails back and forth. Tyres up to 6 years old are considered "new". I can't recall ever having new tyres much older than 6 months. They offered to replace the tyres, then withdrew the offer. Offered 10% off my next order. Then £50 off. Fortunately as they had not supplied the tyres I ordered, I insisted they replace them. Turns out their tyre fitting partner just happened to have a pair of the correct tyres, but different speed rating, tucked away gathering dust so fitted those. The fitting partner, as you may have guessed, was Protyre.

BC customer service were pants. Will avoid in future.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - FiestaOwner

Last month I bought 4 new All Seasons tyres (215/45 R17 91W). I too, found the choice of tyres available very limited.

The tyres I was finding advertised were Michelin, Continental and Goodyear. Didn't see the Vredestein Quadtracs advertised, although they were listed in the correct size on the Vredestein website.

I got a better price from a local independent tyre fitter (who I've used previously), than I could find anywhere else. Ended up with 4 Continental AllSeasonContact for £439

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - gordonbennet

Last month I bought 4 new All Seasons tyres (215/45 R17 91W). I too, found the choice of tyres available very limited.

The tyres I was finding advertised were Michelin, Continental and Goodyear. Didn't see the Vredestein Quadtracs advertised, although they were listed in the correct size on the Vredestein website.

I got a better price from a local independent tyre fitter (who I've used previously), than I could find anywhere else. Ended up with 4 Continental AllSeasonContact for £439

The difference 10% aspect makes (he sobbed) , 215/55 x 17 94W here, quite an expensive size, hopefully the last tyres needed for this car because the Forester will go soon as i retire in due course, any replacement car is going to be on 205/55 x 16 if i have any say in it.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - John F

Last month I bought 4 new All Seasons tyres (215/45 R17 91W). I too, found the choice of tyres available very limited.

The difference 10% aspect makes (he sobbed) , 215/55 x 17 94W here, quite an expensive size, hopefully the last tyres needed for this car because the Forester will go soon as i retire in due course, any replacement car is going to be on 205/55 x 16 if i have any say in it.

Tyres are sometimes very much cheaper in a slightly different size. A few years ago I bought 255/45/19 for my Audi to replace 255/40/19. They were virtually half the price - more tyre for less money! Apart from the saving (total cost including fitting c. £250 for all 4) they actually have two more advantages - firstly, the slightly higher profile affords more protection from potholes, and secondly, the diameter increase of 2.55cm (3.7%) slightly raises the sporty lower ratio gearing (it's a W12 sport quattro, not the A8L limo). Still room in the wheel arches even with the non-limo lower suspension on its lowest setting, and no noticeable difference on the road.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - Xileno

What about the insurance? Is that affected?

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - John F

What about the insurance? Is that affected?

Not as far as I know. In theory, I might be due a small rebate as it has probably made the car ever so slightly slower to reach its limited 155mph, although I can't say I've noticed;-)

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - Engineer Andy

Last month I bought 4 new All Seasons tyres (215/45 R17 91W). I too, found the choice of tyres available very limited.

The difference 10% aspect makes (he sobbed) , 215/55 x 17 94W here, quite an expensive size, hopefully the last tyres needed for this car because the Forester will go soon as i retire in due course, any replacement car is going to be on 205/55 x 16 if i have any say in it.

Tyres are sometimes very much cheaper in a slightly different size. A few years ago I bought 255/45/19 for my Audi to replace 255/40/19. They were virtually half the price - more tyre for less money! Apart from the saving (total cost including fitting c. £250 for all 4) they actually have two more advantages - firstly, the slightly higher profile affords more protection from potholes, and secondly, the diameter increase of 2.55cm (3.7%) slightly raises the sporty lower ratio gearing (it's a W12 sport quattro, not the A8L limo). Still room in the wheel arches even with the non-limo lower suspension on its lowest setting, and no noticeable difference on the road.

That price differential is all down to how common the tyre size and types is. My car's original tyres were 205/55 R16 - very common and cheap, but when I needed to replace 1-2 corroding alloys, I took the opportunity to downsize them all and get a new set of tyres at 195/65 R15, and both were cheaper than the 16in equivalents.

The tyres (then in 2018) by about £10 - £30 a tyre (depending on which make/model), but the difference in the alloys - especially OEM ones, was huge, at £70 each. In the end, it was not much more expensive to replace 4 alloys / 4 tyres with the 15in ones compared to replacing 1 alloy (and cheaper if I had to replace 2) 16in ones and change all the 16in tyres as well.

The new version of my car uses 205/60 R16 tyres for the equivalent spec model, which is sort of in-between those above, but the tyres are about £20 - £40 more than the 205/55 R16s.

The differential may reduce if more car makes use it and older cars like mine get sc***ped as they age. I think part of the problem these days is that so many cars now use different sized tyres to eachother (rivals), whereas 10-20 years ago they tended more (for 'volume' sellers) to use standard ones like those I mentioned, thus keeping prices lower because tyre manufacturers could keep their costs down.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - mcb100
I’ve used Halfords for the last few tyres, I’ve found them very competitive on price.
Coincidentally I’ve two Hankook all-seasons being fitted today to one of ours, first time I’m using their Tyres On The Drive option - because I could give them a 12 hour time window there’s no additional fee for me not having to go out.
Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - mcb100
And he’s just left.
20 minutes from pulling up to departing for two tyres swapped, including balancing.
I’ll be using them again, assuming the tyre price is somewhere near.
Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - Robert J.

That’s good to know. I have found that National are comparable on price if you order online and book in to one of their fitting centres. I have never had any issues with fitting either.

I understand that they have recently been taken over by Halfords so hopefully it won’t be detrimental to National.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - Falkirk Bairn

Both my son & I have used National Tyres for maybe 10 years. Ordered on-line and tyres are "a good price" especially when on promotion.

Recent experience

He was a bit wary when Halfords took over. MoT threw up nothing and asked them to replace the 2 x ditch finders put on by previous owner and the 2, presumably originals. which were down to 2.5mm. Having checked on-line they were the 2nd cheapest

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - up north

ASDA online is actually pretty reasonable. Continental All Season Tyres for the second time on my car, highly recommended as good wet and dry and wear.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - catsdad

Like mcb I used Halfords on the drive last year. Prices were better than any other local option and no waiting around in a tyre depot. I have used BC on the two previous occasions, prices were good but the booked time slots at ATS, their local fitter, were not reliable. Yummy mummy walk-ins with SUVs bumped my appointment by about two hours.

I also used Halfords on the drive for a windscreen chip a few weeks ago. Again they met the time slot and the fitter spent a good half hour getting it right. It’s not perfect but its fully acceptable and not in the line of vision. I could have gone via the insurance but there’s an excess and a surprising amount of online paperwork and booking hurdles to go through.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - JonestHon

I am unsure why, or maybe because I drive an old Lexus, I find the best value regarding tyres at..my local Lexus primary dealer.

245/45/17 are not cheap, but Lexus does mid-range like Hankook/Firestone for £101 fitted; I couldn't find anywhere cheaper.

Do main dealers try to be competitive when it comes to tyres?

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - gordonbennet

I am unsure why, or maybe because I drive an old Lexus, I find the best value regarding tyres at..my local Lexus primary dealer.

245/45/17 are not cheap, but Lexus does mid-range like Hankook/Firestone for £101 fitted; I couldn't find anywhere cheaper.

Do main dealers try to be competitive when it comes to tyres?

Never bought tyres from a main dealer, but it doesn't surprise me, when one could run just about any car on 5 or 10w40 engine oils (before many makers decided everything must be fragile requiring faddish oils @ 3 x the cost), Vauxhall and some other makes dealers were often cheaper sources than could be found anywhere, Toyota's replacement batteries are as cheap as can be found anywhere.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - gordonbennet

New tyres were fitted yesterday, all good so far, pressures spot on haven't had a chance to check the wheelnuts yet but will do over the weekend.

First drive work commute and home again, one thing i'm very happy about is how much softer the ride is now, have all seasons on the Landcruiser too which also give a compliant ride, think this type of tyre will be my go to from now on.

Any - Tyres again, finding the right deal. - Xileno

I always check and retorque the wheelnuts after my car comes back from having the wheels off. The last time was for new rear tyres and they were spot on which is reassuring.